Chris van der Drift condition update and details

Chris van der Drift is in a stable condition in a Dartford hospital after
suffering a huge accident in the second Superleague Formula race at Brands
Hatch on Sunday.
The New Zealander was attempting to pass Julien Jousse for fifth place
along...

Chris van der Drift is in a stable condition in a Dartford hospital after
suffering a huge accident in the second Superleague Formula race at Brands
Hatch on Sunday.

The New Zealander was attempting to pass Julien Jousse for fifth place
along the fast Pilgrim's Drop section of the Kent circuit when his
front left wheel clipped the AS Roma car's right rear, sending him
skywards, then sideways into the parapet of a bridge.

The Olympiacos car span through the air having broken in half, as it is
designed to do, with Chris and the tub detaching from the rear assembly
of engine and gearbox, before landing half-way down the straight.

Despite the severity of both impacts, van der Drift was conscious
throughout the accident and incredibly climbed unaided from the wreckage
before emergency teams could assess his injuries.

It's understood that the 24-year-old suffered a broken right ankle
which will be operated on today, broken right little finger and a
severely grazed finger on the left hand which will require plastic
surgery. Moreover he has a fractured shoulder blade and ribs.

"He was quite okay even though it was a horrible crash," said
van der Drift's manager Ruth Gandorfer. "We were talking to
him at the hospital and his first question was whether it was on video
because he wanted to see it! He remembered everything and didn't
black out. He also wanted to climb out of the car on his own."

Superleague Formula's Elan-built chassis was designed and tested to
withstand the FIA's toughest crash tests. That the survival cell
remained in one piece after such a violent impact and unusual accident is
testament to the car's strength and safety.

"I remain amazed that he survived it," said the
championship's Competitions Director Robin Webb. "This was a
huge accident. I inspected the bridge that he hit afterwards and even the
metal at the top has been bent. All the car's safety systems and
crash tested equipment worked perfectly. The Brands Hatch medical staff,
both immediately at the scene and then in the medical centre, were all
fantastic so a big thank you to everyone who helped Chris.

"I was able to spend some time with Chris and his family last
night. We had some laughs and he was in good spirits."

Everyone at Superleague Formula would like to wish Chris a full and
speedy recovery.